Owner: Fluttering Butterflies URL:http://michelle-says.blogspot.com Join Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 11:10:30 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Ramblings, mostly of books and the adventures of raising a toddler, from a twenty-something American living in England! Site statistics:Click here
Meet the Guys Monday - Sharif Atkins 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Welcome to another edition of Meet the Guys Monday
! Today, SharifAtkins
(everyone, say 'Hello Sharif'). In advance, I apologise if the following is confusing or hard to follow, I'm feeling a bit distracted at the moment. So, two years ago, N and I went to New York on holiday. We'd been meaning to go together for years, but hadn't gotten around to it. When we did go, we had just learned that I was pregnant. It was quite unfortunate for N really, he was so worried about me straining myself, he chose to carry ALL of our bags, everywhere. And we did buy quite a lot on that trip and did a LOT of walking. Seriously, all during pregnancy, I wasn't allowed to carry anything heavier than a loaf of bread.But anyway, we're in New York and we're wondering around buying presents and souvenirs and things. Naturally, we stopped by FAO Schwarz. It'll be a friend's birthday sometime soon after we get back to England, and even though he's in his 30s (and straight), he likes cuddly toys. We'
A Love Story 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I was going t write all this down around N and my wedding anniversary in December, but I completely forgot - everything was so hectic around Boy's birthday. Since it was recently Valentine's Day and inspired by Ann's Turn Back the Clock Tuesdays I thought I'd tell you about how N and I met and got married. Plus, I've been reconnecting with old friends from high school who might not know the story. Everyone sitting comfortably? Good, then I'll begin...I was 16 years old, and in a bad way. My relationship with my family was getting me down, I was hurting and lonely. I didn't feel like I could talk to my friends from school, so I'd turned to the Internet and had been a regular in chatrooms since before I was 14. It was quite freeing talking to strangers, letting out everything that was bothering me. I was also not doing well in school. At the time, I believe I was in my third year of high school, but I'd been told that because of my poor grades, I was still only consider Read more:Love Story
Meg Cabot marathon 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I read this one first. I absolutely loved it right from the very first page. All the other books in the series seemed more light-hearted, whereas in this book Jess is in such a dark and low place and it made for such compelling reading. From the second chapter onwards I was just crying because of the experiences Jess went through, how things ended with Rob, her pain, oh what agony. It's sad how much I related to grief so much easier than to happiness. I thought it was a brilliant way to end the series!This isn't the picture on the cover from my copy (I don't much like this cover, it's so plain and boring) but again, I loved this book. I quite enjoyed the first book (dorm/residence hall thing aside), and this one doesn't disappoint either. I think Reggie is my favourite character, or possibly Gavin. I love the quirky characters in Meg Cabot's books! And thinking about it, I suppose it is a lot better way to go, not having Heather and Cooper get together (until the last book, I'm
Thursday 13 - My addictions 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I was remembering what I wrote here about having an addictive personality, so I thought it would make a good Thursday
13, to write about a few of them. And of course, because it's the start of Lent I thought we could take a vote - you get to vote for which addiction I give up. Does it sound like a deal? :)1. Blogging - I think it's been well documented already that I'm addicted to blogging, but I am working on it, I promise. 2. Books - Atasha asked in the last post how I find the time to read as many books as I do, and I just have to say - I make the time. I've never been without a book, and always manage to catch 20 minutes here and there in the day when I should be tidying up or something. Naptimes are great as well! 3. Jelly beans - How much do I adore Jelly Belly jelly beans. My cousin and her family live a short drive to the Jelly Belly factory in California and it seriously is my heaven! I recieved jelly beans for Valentine's Day and was told not to eat them all in one
Friday Favourites 1970-01-01 00:59:59 As promised, my new weekly feature! Just to remind you, if you want to play along I'd love the company, just write about a current favourite and then comment on this. If there's even just one person playing I'll use a Mr Linky but so far, I sadly think it'll be just me. That's OK... This week, we have my favourite muffin recipes! Isn't it exciting? :) And don't they look marvellous? I love muffins! They're so easy to make, and also quite tasty. And I give you sweet as well as savoury! Ham and cheese muffins ala Tana Ramsay's cookbook (I can't remember what it's called) 300g/10 1/2 oz self-raising flour1/2 tsp mustard powder1/2 tsp paprika75g/3oz butter6 slices honey roast ham, chopped into 1cm pieces185g/6 1/2 oz grated mature cheddar cheese1 egg, beaten250ml/9fl oz milk6tbsp grated parmesan 1. Preheat oven to 190C/375F/Gas mark 52. Lightly grease a 12-hole muffin tin (or use muffin cases!)3. Sieve the flour, mustard powder and paprika in large bowl. Rub in the butter Read more:Friday
, Favourites
, Friday Favourites
Meet the Guys Monday - Jonah 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Welcome to another edition of Meet the Guys Monday
! Today features .. Jonah
! (say hello to Jonah!) Isn't he the absolute cutest? N has a friend who lives in Canada, and we used to ship each other Christmas presents (before a child bankrupted us!) and one year, at Clintons or some other major greetings card shop, I fell in love with this adorable polar bear! I couldn't believe how much I coveted his scarf with the blue stars and the furry little balls at the ends. And his fur and paws are so soft, I wanted him. But at the time, N gave a reasonable sounding argument against buying one for ourselves and we walked out of the shop with just the one polar bear as a gift for Canada-girl. I felt a bit down. I fall in love very easily with stuffed animals, and this was love-at-first sight for me, I didn't walk away easily. Christmas came around, and I could tell N had some fun surprise for me... What he likes to do (but I try not to count on it!) is he'll spread my gifts (this happens at b
Encore! (STICKY POST) 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Everyone remember this fun meme? No? That's why I thought I'd play it again! Here are the rules again: I chose the first 20 songs on random off my mp3 player and have given you the first lyric for each song. You must guess the title and artist of the song without googling and send your answers in a comment! There will be no repeat artists and the song title shouldn't be in the first line and hopefully some will be easier than others and everyone can play. Are you ready?! I'll keep this going for a week or until all the songs are correctly answered! Also, if it seems popular, I do have another 20-30 lined up! I love this game so much. Everyone get out your inner-Monica-Gellars and be quick! Here we go.1. 'She fed me strawberries and freezer-burn icecream'2. 'When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me'Let it Be by The Beatles, answered correctly by Ms Mac and Fux Mudler 3. 'I've called you so many times today, and I guess it's all true what all your girlfr Read more:Encore
, STICKY
Ugly Duckling 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Glass Half Full has challenged all of us 'beautiful swans' which of course we all are, to post our 'ugly duckling' photos. Now I seriously have way worse photos of me as a child than this one, but this one has a story. First, my dad told me once that this is the photo that he thinks captures 'me' and that this is how he'll remember me as a child. Along with my prom photo, THIS is the photo he carries around of me in his wallet. (along with the photo of me and N, and a few of Elliot, of course)Secondly, this is my 2nd grade class photo. Recently, I joined myspace and I had so much fun finding people I knew from highschool, that I didn't stop there. I pulled out details of the kids I went to middle school (I went to three different middle schools) and elementary school. Would you believe I found my best friend in second grade? The girl I only knew for one short year (when we were 7!) and then moved away and I never heard from her again? And we remembered each other. Even when I e Read more:Duckling
Ultimate Blog Party 2007-03-02 09:47:00 Hello and welcome to the Ultimate
Blog Party
hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom! The point of this cool party is to get to know new people, the more the merrier (and win free prizes!) So here we go: My name is Michelle and the squirming little boy you see is my son, Elliot! I'm 24 years old, originally from America, I moved here when I was 18 to marry my best friend (and man I met on the Internet) N, and we welcomed our little guy into the world 15 months ago. I sometimes struggle with the hardships of having a toddler, my childhood, my many addictions - but I get through it with the loving support of my blog-buddies, through my greatest pasttime, and of course through writing this blog! I love to play games with my son, read, cook tasty food, catch up with old friends, watch lots of television and movies, and listen to music. I'd like to learn to knit, plant a vegetable garden, travel and figure out what I want to be when I grow up... I think it's hilarious that I'm participating in an Read more:Ultimate Blog
, Ultimate Blog Party
Friday Favourites - My wedding memories 2007-03-02 09:19:00 I think there's something in the air, or at least people everywhere have been struck with wedding
fever because every where I turn, someone's getting married or having an anniversary or just writing about their weddings. I had this post written out in my head for over a week, since I wrote this, and people asked to see my 'fat wedding photos.' Here we go...I was 18 when I got married. Was it too young? Probably. Do I regret it? Not at all. I had fun planning my wedding, I've been blessed with a great marriage, a beautiful son. Here are my favourite memories
...THE DRESSWhen I was back in America, after N and I were engaged, I was at work (a fast food restaurant, classy) and flicking through one of the million wedding magazines I had to have, eyeing up all those hugely expensive, lavish wedding gowns and cursing my bad luck that I wasn't born into family with MONEY. I let out a big sigh and told myself silently that I would find a perfect dress for less money somehow, and that I'd Read more:Friday
, Favourites
, Friday Favourites
Read a Good Book 2007-03-01 13:10:00 N doesn't read many books, but when he does a finish a book, it usually means it was a pretty good book. I put quite a lot of faith into books he recommends, which is why I picked up Q & A. It's about an uneducated waiter in India who wins a quiz show with a prize money of a billion rupees, similar to Who Wants to be a Millionaire. There's an investigation, because everyone assumes this poor 18 year old couldn't know all those answers but he is able to answer the questions because of the life that he is led: living in the slums of India, working for an aging Bollywood actress, the people he meets and loves. Each chapter jumps back and forth between different periods of childhood, and I found it all to be really gripping. I didn't fully grasp all the references to Bollywood actors and actresses and there is a lot of sad circumstances in the book, but the likeability of the main character and the different structure of the novel more than make up for it!
Bump! 2007-03-06 13:32:00 I completely forgot I'd promised to do this photo tag of my pregnant belly along with Adventures in Babywearing! Isn't it fun? This was taken at the end of October 2005 almost a month before I had my little boy. Joining the photo is Monkey (who you will meet during my Meet the Guys Monday!) N thought it'd be funny to make it look like Monkey was King Kong climbing up the Empire State Building or whatever big thing he climbed up. All through my pregnancy I lived in that jeans skirt with the huge extra side panels, and notice me trying to accessorize with the chunky green bracelet. I desperately wanted to feel more feminine during my nine months! All other photos of me during pregnancy entirely banned from viewing. Feel priviledged you are seeing this! :)
Behind 2007-03-06 13:08:00 I've been behind with everything recently! The Blog Party has introduced me to dozens of cool new bloggers and that's of course kept me from posting and commenting on all my regular blogs (sorry ladies!) Plus, we had one of those eventful weekends in terms of getting stuff done in the house. We managed so many of those small projects that we'd been putting off, and I feel so good about accomplishing so much! And yesterday, I went into a larger shopping center about a 20 minute bus ride away - can I just say, it is so difficult to buy presents for my husband! Does anyone else have this problem? N's reached that age (he'll be 31) where he has everything he wants or needs, and has told his sister and mother to donate money to charity instead of buy him gifts. Which is great, it is (here's his charity 'gift' of choice) but that still leaves me and Elliot left with nothing in terms of what to get him. We'll have to get him something. All ideas/suggestions are welcome and ve
I Got Nothing 2007-03-08 15:12:00 It's 2:16 in the afternoon, and I'm still in my pyjamas. Read more:Nothing
Friday Favourites 2007-03-09 13:46:00 I almost forgot it was Friday
and nearly missed posting Friday Favourites
! Just a reminder, anyone can play along and write about a current favourite (absolutely anything, book, movie, song, quote, blog, person, place, memory, a single moment - ANYTHING) but please sign the Mr Linky and let us all know :) Today - my favourite new purchases that arrived this week. My laptop and the new treadmill! I'm in love with both. The laptop is especially helpful, as it lets me be downstairs where all of Elliot's toys are kept, and not have to coop Elliot upstairs in our non-child-friendly computer room. I can check my email and know that Elliot is safe and happy. And surprisingly, I spend LESS time on the internet, since the laptop graced our home, so even better! N looked around for ages for my laptop, and we almost bought one before Christmas, but I'm glad we waited. Not that I know a single thing about computers, but apparently this one's a lot better than the one we were looking at (more Read more:Friday Favourites
I'm FAMOUS! 2007-03-10 23:35:00 The lovely, lovely Susan and Janice over at 5 Minutes for Mom have interviewed me. Check, check, check it out! I am absolutely giddy with excitement over it!
Meet the Guys Monday 2007-03-12 14:39:00 This will have to be quick today because I missed out on when I usually write my blog entries (when Elliot's taking his nap) and now I only have a limited time on my laptop until Elliot want to come play with the mouse or keyboard (we've set up a wiresless mouse and keyboard so I don't have to cramp my fingers using the laptop's).Today's Meet the Guys Monday
is dedicated to Jack! Everyone say hello to Jack. He's the largest of our guys and the oldest. N and his sister were both given bears, one large and one small. N got the small one, his sister got the large one. Each wanted the other, so they swapped (at least I think so) And so this adorable large bear lived on the N's parent's couch for 20 odd years until the arrival of a cute, charming American girl who swept in and decided that this large bear MUST not go another day without a name.N and I do have a tendency to name our Guys after television/movie characters and you must be thinking 'Jack from 24? Jack from Lost?' Oh n
Friday Favourites 2007-03-16 22:08:00 Today is Red Nose Day! My favourite charity event! Any excuse, really to dress up, act silly, have fun for charity, I'm up for it! Here's how Boy and I started the day in our stylin' red nose and Walk-ears - nice, huh? :) It's for a good cause, if you're able - please give generously! For more information about Red Nose Day as well as how to donate, please visit this website! I get weepy every year when they send celebrities off to visit poor communities in Africa, and this year was no exception. I had to hide behind Jean-Baptiste so Elliot wouldn't see me crying when Ant and Dec visited the HIV-orphans, I'm such a sap. Sorry this was a bit delayed today, but please sign the Mr Linky and leave a comment if you're playing along this week. Thank you so much! Read more:Friday
, Favourites
, Friday Favourites
My Missing Posts 2007-03-19 14:10:00 I know I've been a bit MIA around here, I'm sorry for that. Because I have continued to blog over the last week or so, just not on here. I've been blogging on my myspace page because I can't post the link to this blog on there (too many posts here re: my family and my friends list on myspace include my brother and a close cousin) But here are the missing posts, with the most recent at the top.What should I read next? What I loved so much about working in a bookstore, was all the feedback I'd get about new books, books to try next, favourite books. I loved finding books in common with people, and I do miss is talking about books with other people. So maybe you can help me out. I've a huge stack of books on my to be read pile (actually a random selection), and I don't know which book to read next.. so if you have any thoughts on them, please let me know, or if you don't have any comments on my list of books, recommend me something else, I promise I'll give it a go (unless you re Read more:Missing
Meet the Guys Monday - Eeyore 2007-03-19 13:54:00 (picture coming soon)I have many, many Eeyores, I know, but this one's special. He was a Christmas present from my father, when he stayed with us for 3 months a few years back. My dad had actually told me beforehand what he had intended to buy for me for Christmas, but when Christmas morning came around I didn't see a small jewellery box anywhere, and was slightly surprised to see a lumpy, largeish parcel instead. And that was my dad's intention! He'd put the necklace around Eeyore's neck instead! He wears a turquoise ribbon around his neck and wears a baseball jersey that N and I bought for him in New York from a Build-a-Bear store so he wouldn't feel left out that all the other Guys had clothes. There is a little baseball cap that goes along with it, but I'm not sure it fits or where it's at at the moment. I love Eeyore's eyes - they look like he's constantly watching or looking out for something. Nicknames include 'Donkey' and 'Donks' Read more:Monday
It'll just take 2 seconds, I promise! 2007-03-21 14:09:00 Please help out an old friend from high school, and go vote for her! Thanks so much! She needs all the votes she can get! Read more:promise
I'll Update Soon..*EDITED* 2007-03-26 20:58:00 ***Edited - Please disregard the following. I completely did not mean to solicit any of you to buy me books. Desperate times, and all!I know I missed last week's Friday Favourites and have yet to post today's Meet the Guys Monday. I didn't mention I'd reached my 400th post or tell you about N's birthday. And I should post what's been going on lately, and there are two ladies who need some congratulations and everyone has been lacking my comments lately, but really, what I'm can't contain anymore is my excitement over THIS BOOK. Someone please buy it for me. I've put it on my WISH LIST. Seriously. Buy this book for me, I'm broke. I had an advanced copy of the first book Twilight, and I seriously read it in one sitting, closed the book and then READ IT AGAIN, I loved it that much. I NEED THIS BOOK! (and I can't believe it was released ages ago and I missed it before now!) Read more:Update
More Posts. 2007-03-28 18:46:00 Those moments.. I've been having those moments lately, the ones where I think 'god, I'm old' You know those moments... I'd walk into the kitchen for something and think 'what did I come in here for?' or as the shampoo is being rinsed out of my hair, I'll think 'did I shampoo already?' Is it just me? I've heard (a myth, surely?) this thing about women losing brain cells after giving birth, but I never really considered it until now :) ...Babies.I want another baby. The feeling's kind of crept up on me in the last few months and just this week it's bashed me over the head. It's partly to do with the sheer number of pregnant friends I have. (Congratulations to Beth and Katie, Stephanie, Christie, Daniela, and bum, I think there was one more!) And it's partly to do with N working our old video footage of Elliot into a DVD over the last few days. I can hardly believe anyone was so small and beautiful! Elliot is now 16 months old, and I don't want Elliot's newborn day
Shortlived excitement 2007-04-03 13:17:00 I got really excited this morning. I was playing with Elliot in the living room when a delivery van pulled up in front of the house. I pretended not to notice it there because I really wasn't expecting any packages. But then my hopes shot straight up when a man carrying a massive parcel rings the doorbell. Of course I haven't yet changed out of my pyjamas or brushed my hair, but whatever, I've got a package! I fling the door open, big smile on my face and what does Delivery Man say?'I've got a package for next door, but no one's home. Do you mind signing for it?'
Ah, the memories.. 2007-04-02 21:53:00 I was tweezing my eyebrows earlier, and I remembered something that happened back in 8th grade. I was sitting in my favourite class, and the desks were pushed together into small groups. I (unfortunately) was seated with a vaguely popular and obnoxious boy and a sort of ice-queen. Rude, obnoxious boy points to Ice Queen and referring to the shaky little lines that stand in for her eyebrows and says 'Plucked' then points to me and says 'UNplucked' and back and forth. I wanted to die. And all those years ago I felt humiliated and wanted to come up with something clever and cool to say, which also incorporated the fact that Ice Queen had a mother and older sisters whereas I just had my father and a brother, neither of whom had ever plucked their eyebrows. Instead I said nothing. It was so hard being 13 and not having the courage to stick up for myself. Read more:memories
TT: Things I've Been Putting Off Lately 2007-04-05 10:31:00 I'm such a big procrastinator. I never do things straight away. It's a habit I've been trying to break, but very unsuccessfully. Here's my latest list of 'to do another day'1. Blogging. I don't what's been going on lately, but I just haven't been in the mood for it. Plus my creativity levels are at an all time low. I'm working on it. I think more sunshine is just what I need!2. Reading blogs/commenting. All I can say is SORRY!3. Emailing. I probably should have just written 'all things computer-related' but I've always been a bit long-winded :)4. Housework. I'm sure this would be on everyone's lists, right? At the moment, I still have three loads of laundry to do, the bedlinen to be changed, the hoovering to be done upstairs, the kitchen floor to be swept and the dusting. Sigh. Possibly some ironing.5. Going to playgroups. I feel bad about this one, because everytime we go, Elliot has a fantastic time, but all the other mothers are so distant and unfriendly, it puts me o Read more:Putting
Friday Favourites 2007-04-06 18:43:00 I still have some missing files on my computer and I've lost my blogging notebook which had all my FF ideas, and I'm so tired, so here are a random selection of my favourite bloggers, who all have something more interesting to write about than me:Tasha at A Day In The Life Of... is such a lovely person, with two adorable daughters! She's stressing out at the moment about her approaching wedding, so go visit and give her wedding advice and stuff!Jessica over at Oh The Joys always, always has me in fits of giggles. Seriously not a blog to read whilst the kids are asleep or if hysterical laughter may annoy others.And then there's DraMa from The Emancipation of a Drama Queen and Amber from Crazy Bloggin Canuck, both of whom I've just found and totally love already!Go and say hello to Gina at Just Another Day and Stephanie from For Better of For Worse who are perfect for great daily reads!And last but not least, Lisa from Books. Lists. Life. a new blog I've found, and I totally spent Read more:Friday
, Favourites
, Friday Favourites
Recommend Site To A Friend
